MLB commissioner Robert Manfred on home run record: 'Let fans make their own judgment'

New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge set a new American League (and Yankees franchise) record this season by hitting 62 home runs, topping the previous mark set by Roger Maris (61) during the 1961 season.

There is also a rather large segment of the baseball viewing public (including Roger Maris Jr.) that sees Judge's mark as the new major league home run record, shoving aside the steroid era marks set by Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said on Thursday that the best way to handle it all is to let fans make their own judgement on which records are important to them.

Manfred made the comments during an appearance on ESPN's Get Up.

After pointing out the record books "say what they say," Manfred added: “I think that over the history of the game there have been different eras, the ball performed differently, the equipment was different and I think the best way to handle it is let fans make their own judgment as to what records are most significant to them.”

Officially, Barry Bonds is the Major League single season home run record holder after hitting 73 home runs during the 2001 season. McGwire (70, 65) and Sosa (66, 64, and 63) also sit ahead of Judge's 62 mark. 

Judge is still one of just six players to ever hit 60 home runs in a season, joining Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, Maris, and Babe Ruth on the list. 

Judge's 62nd home run in Texas on Tuesday night capped off an incredible individual season that also saw him fall just a few batting average points short of the triple crown and will probably result in him winning the American League MVP award. 

The Yankees won the American League East division title thanks in large part to Judge's ability to carry their offense all season.